BREWER — The FIRST LEGO League Competition season is back and starts with the exciting theme “MASTERPIECE” for the 2023-24 season. Since August, students from around the state have been working in the areas of research, design and programming to develop their leadership and technical skills in a playful way, as well as discover their creative passions. On Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Brewer Community School, 31 teams from across the state will compete for the state title! The event is free and open to the public.

FIRST LEGO League gives participating students an age-appropriate introduction to the exciting areas of STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), in which they learn to program LEGO robots and ask themselves questions about society as a whole. At the same time, their communication skills and teamwork qualities are promoted, because the tasks are solved as a team.

This year’s FIRST LEGO League season, themed “MASTERPIECE,” challenges teams to find creative ways to inspire others about their hobbies and interests. As they interact with experts in museums, theaters and other creative fields, they learn from people with artistic professions about how to express themselves and engage and entertain diverse audiences.

FIRST is powered primarily by volunteers. Professionals from the business community and teachers from all subject areas serve as mentors for the school team members. Each team is judged on many criteria from the building of the robot, to the innovation design project, as well as celebrating our Core Values. 

This event is sponsored by the Robotics Institute of Maine, in partnership with the Brewer School Department and the Brewer High School Robotics Team, Orange Chaos.

About the Robotics Institute of Maine:

Our mission is to inspire youth to gain a new perspective on science and technology by providing opportunities and resources for robotics programs.

Founded in 2012, the Robotics Institute of Maine (RIM) is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our goal is to ignite a passion in Maine students to consider STEM-based careers through the development of educational robotics programs.

Why robotics? Robotics programs offer a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience which prepares students for technology careers. Within the structure of a friendly competition, students develop several life-long skills.

RIM provides funding and support to schools and robotics teams to encourage new robotics programs and sustain current ones. Robotics continues to grow because of the generous support from Maine-based companies and grants for RIM.

Schools/teams attending:

61864Squires of KatahdinWiltonHomeschool Group
61905Cobscook Currents 4-H ClubLubec4-H Club
63489Sumner RoboTiger CubsSullivanSumner Learning Center
1424All SySTEMs GoGorhamGorham Middle School
2092ExceleratorsWatervilleWaterville Junior High School
3483Master BuildersJaySpruce Mountain Middle School
3484Bad PiggiesJaySpruce Mountain Middle School
12987Full STEAM Ahead in memory of Carson HooperFalmouthFalmouth Middle School
13535Messalonskee Middle SchoolOaklandMessalonskee Middle School
14407RoboSharksKitteryShapleigh School
20026Fort Fairfield RobotigersFort FairfieldFort Fairfield Middle School
21594Mesmerizing Manta RaysVinalhavenVinalhaven School
26180Veazie Viking RoboticsVeazieVeazie School
26429Guardians 2South BerwickMSAD 35
32423Lego LegendsBrewerBrewer Community School
34104STEAM Powered KnightsTenants HarborSt. George Municipal School
47639Iron Tiger CubsPittstonGardiner Middle School
51454Frosted Yoshi’sBerwickHomeschool
52374The LEGOATsLeedsLeeds Central School
52670NOBLE SuperflexedNorth BerwickNoble Middle School
53231CCS#2CaribouCaribou Community School
53232CCS#1CaribouCaribou Community School
56579Crispy KirbiesBerwickHomeschool
56973Mustang MasterpiecesSacoSaco Middle School
57689OT Coyote PackOld TownOld Town Middle School
58677Wells WarriorsWellsWells Middle School